A CUMBRIAN athlete has been given the chance to represent her country doing the sport she loves. 

Olivia Brinsden, 18, of Beckermet, will be representing England in an under-19s cricket tournament. 

Olivia, who has been passionate about the sport for many years, was delighted to hear the news. 

She said: "We're currently in a training camp phase at Loughborough, where we train from Friday to Sunday every other weekend. Throughout December this will switch to every weekend as we prepare for the tournament. 

"In January we will fly to Malaysia to compete in an international event. 

"I started when I was younger at Egremont, just playing junior cricket. Then within that season, I got asked to play for the county under 13s girls’ team. I was also with the district boys’ team when I was a little bit younger. 

"I just progressed through the age groups, and alongside that, I joined the RDTs which are the equivalent to the academies now. 

"The RDTs were held over in Durham, but then the system started to change, and the country split off into regions. 

"It was then that I moved to Lancashire where I've been for the last four or five years, which is the step below playing at a national level where they judge whether or not you can make it as a professional in the sport. 

"I just had a good season and got selected. I got the phone call in September 2024, to be selected for the England under 19s. 

"I was a bit shocked at first when I realised that I was going to be representing my country as a cricket player, as I didn't expect to be picked. 

"I expected a phone call, but I don't think I was expecting that, it was such a shock. 

"I'm so excited for the experience, I just hope that I can keep progressing in the sport."